Two Dimensional Clustering of Gamma-Ray Bursts using durations and hardness

Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) have been conventionally bifurcated into two distinct categories: ``short'' and ``long'' with durations less than and greater than two seconds respectively. However, there is a lot of literature (although with conflicting results) regarding the existence of a third intermediate class. To investigate this issue, we extend a recent study (arXiv:1612.08235) on classification of GRBs to two dimensions by incorporating the GRB hardness in addition to the observed durations. We carry out this unified analysis on GRB datasets from four detectors, viz. BATSE, RHESSI, Swift (observed and intrinsic frame), and Fermi-GBM. We consider the duration and hardness features in log-scale for each of these datasets and determine the best-fit parameters using Gaussian Mixture Model. This is followed by information theoretic criterion (AIC and BIC) to determine if a three-component fit is favored compared to a two-component one or vice-versa. For BATSE, we find that both AIC and BIC show preference for three components with decisive significance. For Fermi and RHESSI, both AIC and BIC show preference for two components, although the significance is marginal from AIC, but decisive using BIC. For Swift dataset in both the observed and rest frame, we find that three components are favored according to AIC with decisive significance, and two are preferred with BIC with marginal to strong significance.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures. This is an extension of arXiv:1612.08235 to two-dimension

Critical appraisal of Drug Promotional Literatures (DPLs) as per World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines

Background: The study was aimed to critically analyse Drug Promotional Literatures (DPLs) using WHO guidelines. This would help to create awareness about DPLs amongst healthcare providers thus encouraging the improvement of healthcare system.Methods: This cross sectional observational study was carried out at Department of Pharmacology, Medical College Baroda. DPLs were collected & critically analysed for consistency, accuracy, validity of the provided information as per WHO guidelines.Results: Out of total 616 DPLs collected, 371 satisfied the inclusion criteria. None of the DPL was fulfilling all criteria according to WHO guidelines. Most of DPLs were having information regarding; generic name / INN (98.39%), brand name (100%), amount of active ingredient per dosage (94.07%), approved therapeutic uses (84.91%), dosage form (91.37%) and name & address of manufacturers (91.91%). Of all the DPLs, information provided for safety parameters like; name of active ingredient known to cause problem (11.59%), dosage regimen (32.88%), side effects & drug reaction (14.56%), major drug interactions (14.02%) and precautions, contraindications and warning (14.29%) seemed to be grossly neglected. Total of 431 claims were evaluated, of which the most common type of claim was efficacy (55.45%). Relevant references to claims were present in (48.74%) DPLs. Total 203 references were evaluated from 371 DPLs, of which maximum reference were from journal article (74.38%).Conclusions: From this study, it was concluded that pharmaceutical companies didn’t follow the WHO guidelines for ethical drug promotion, thus failing to fulfil the rational promotion of drugs. Given the present findings physicians should be cautious about drawing conclusions regarding medicine based on DPLs provided by pharmaceutical companies

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of medication adherence in children suffering from epilepsy attending pediatric out-patient department at a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Epilepsy is a common chronic disease presenting during childhood that requires long-term treatment. Rates of adherence to antiepileptic drugs are variable in children ranging from 25% to 75%. Non-adherent patients are more likely to experience frequent and recurrent seizures which drastically impact the health of the patient. This study was therefore conducted in order to assess the medication adherence of children suffering from epilepsy to the prescribed anti-epileptic drug therapy. Methods: Children diagnosed with epilepsy aged 6-18 years were enrolled in the present cross-sectional questionnaire-based study after prior written informed consent and written informed assent. Children with co-morbidities were excluded from the study (as diagnosed by the Paediatrician). The case record form was filled after interviewing the patients. A questionnaire based on the Morisky medication adherence scale-8 (MMAS) was used to evaluate the quality of life of children. Results: Total 243 patients got enrolled in the study. GTCS was found to be the most common type of epilepsy. Valproate was the most commonly used agent. Out of the 243 patients in total, 201 patients (83%) showed high adherence, 24 patients (10%) showed medium adherence and 18 patients (7%) showed poor adherence to the treatment prescribed. Patients on monotherapy showed higher adherence rates than patients on polytherapy. Medication adherence was highest with Valproate among monotherapy and valproate + carbamazepine among poly-therapy. Conclusions: We conclude that monotherapy with anti-epileptic agents and patient satisfaction is positive predictors of medication adherence leading to a lesser impact of the disease on the child and improved health

Examining the impact of heterogeneous nitryl chloride production on air quality across the United States

The heterogeneous hydrolysis of dinitrogen pentoxide (N₂O₅) has typically been modeled as only producing nitric acid. However, recent field studies have confirmed that the presence of particulate chloride alters the reaction product to produce nitryl chloride (ClNO₂) which undergoes photolysis to generate chlorine atoms and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). Both chlorine and NO₂ affect atmospheric chemistry and air quality. We present an updated gas-phase chlorine mechanism that can be combined with the Carbon Bond 05 mechanism and incorporate the combined mechanism into the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling system. We then update the current model treatment of heterogeneous hydrolysis of N₂O₅ to include ClNO₂ as a product. The model, in combination with a comprehensive inventory of chlorine compounds, reactive nitrogen, particulate matter, and organic compounds, is used to evaluate the impact of the heterogeneous ClNO₂ production on air quality across the United States for the months of February and September in 2006. The heterogeneous production increases ClNO₂ in coastal as well as many in-land areas in the United States. Particulate chloride derived from sea-salts, anthropogenic sources, and forest fires activates the heterogeneous production of ClNO₂. With current estimates of tropospheric emissions, it modestly enhances monthly mean 8-h ozone (up to 1–2 ppbv or 3–4%) but causes large increases (up to 13 ppbv) in isolated episodes. This chemistry also substantially reduces the mean total nitrate by up to 0.8–2.0 μg m⁻³ or 11–21%. Modeled ClNO₂ accounts for up to 6% of the monthly mean total reactive nitrogen. Sensitivity results of the model suggest that heterogeneous production of ClNO₂ can further increase O₃ and reduce TNO₃ if elevated particulate-chloride levels are present in the atmosphere

An unusual case of labial fusion

Labial fusion is sealing of labia minora in midline. It is also known as Labial adhesion or Labial agglutination or synechia vulvae. This condition is common in pre-pubertal females when estrogen levels are low and commonly resolves spontaneously post-puberty. Usually asymptomatic and typically treated conservatively. Medical treatment includes use of estrogen cream or betamethasone cream. Surgical treatment rarely required, if not responding to medical treatment or dense adhesions. This case report is unusual as it presented in a post-pubertal female and which needed surgical management

Review of Mooshika Visha (Rat Poison) : Ayurvedic Concept

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine having eight important branches. Agada Tantra is one of them which deals with Visha (poison) its manifestation and its treatment. In Ayurvedic texts Mooshika Visha is described well. There are eighteen types of Mooshika, signs and symptoms of their bite and its treatment is described by Sushrutaacharya and Vaagbhataacharya. There are five modes of spread of Mooshika (rat) poison. Semen, faeces, urine, scratches by nails and bites with teeth of Mooshika are poisonous. In case of Mooshika bite, bite site should be cauterized and blood letting should be done. After this various drugs paste should be applied on bite site. Various putrifictory therapies should be given e.g. Vamana (Vomiting), Virechana (Purgation), Nasya (Nasal medication), anjana (Collyrium) etc. Various drug preparations like medicated ghee, decoctions, paste of drugs, juice of drugs are described. Ayurvedic treatment of Mooshika poisoning can be given in all diseases where source of infection is rat

An unusual presentation of degenerating fibroid

Degeneration in a fibroid is seen when the blood supply falls inadequate to support the center of fibroid. Usually degeneration in a fibroid requires a symptomatic medical management. This is a case report of a degenerating fibroid that uncommonly presented in postpartum period as a retroperitoneal abscess requiring exploratory laparotomy

Reducing the Mysteries of Sulfur Metabolism in Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.

Sulfur metabolic pathways are fundamental for survival and the expression of virulence in many pathogenic bacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In addition, microbial sulfur metabolic pathways are largely absent in humans and therefore, represent unique targets for therapeutic intervention. However, many aspects of mycobacterial sulfur metabolism, such as mechanistic details of sulfonucleotide reductases (SRs) involved in assimilatory sulfate reduction, remain poorly understood and represent exciting areas of new or continued investigation. SRs catalyze the first committed step of reductive sulfur assimilation en route to the biosynthesis of all sulfur-containing metabolites. In this study, we elucidate the molecular binding determinants that underlie ligand binding and specificity of SRs and provide a pharmacological roadmap for the rational design of potential inhibitors of SRs. Next, we present a spectroscopic characterization of the iron-sulfur cofactor essential to one class of SRs and reveal mid-range electrostatic interactions between the iron-sulfur cluster and the substrate in the active site. Based on these data, we propose a role for the cluster in pre-organizing active site residues and in substrate activation. Computational modeling and theoretical calculations corroborate these findings and in addition, suggest a role for the unique coordination of the iron-sulfur cluster in facilitating a compact geometric structure and modulating its electrostatic nature. Furthermore, metalloprotein engineering, kinetic and spectroscopic analyses demonstrate that the iron-sulfur cluster plays a pivotal role in substrate specificity and catalysis, and yield important structural information that can be used for the design of cluster-targeted SR inhibitors. The findings also provide new perspectives into the evolution of the SR family, and have broader implications regarding the function of protein-bound iron-sulfur clusters. Collectively, the work presented in this thesis contributes towards a better understanding of the catalytic mechanism of this unique class of enzymes and offers insights into strategies for therapeutic intervention.Ph.D.Chemical BiologyUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/89843/1/devayani_1.pd

Bacteriological study of surgical site infections in a tertiary care hospital at Miraj, Maharashtra state, India

Background: Surgical site infections (SSI) are one of the common post-operative complications. Apart from bacterial contamination of wound, various patient and environment related factors play role in development and outcome of SSI. The present study is undertaken to study the frequency of SSI with reference to factors contributing to it and the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the causative organisms.Methods: This single-observer, cross-sectional, complete-enumeration prospective study was carried out over a period of one year. 196 pus samples from cases of surgical site infections were processed for gram staining, culture, biochemical identification tests and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains were detected by using oxacillin and cefoxitin disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of oxacillin was tested by broth dilution technique.Results: The overall frequency of SSI was 6.17%. Most common isolates were Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative Staphylococci (CONS), E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The frequency of MRSA was 8.6%. The maximum frequency was among patients operated on emergency basis in surgical department.Conclusions: The most important determinants for SSI were emergency surgery and presence of co-morbid conditions. The frequency of occurrence was age-dependent, with maximum rate of SSI in males and females in the third and sixth decades of life, respectively